Details on Apple Retail's New In-Store Pick Up and Self Check Out Process

[photographypro]

Security- too easy

All you need is for the person at the door who greets you to ask people leaving with a product: "May I see your receipt?" During the busy season you might need two.

 

[TMar]

According to my source, they do have ways to see all the self paid transactions and they have already kept the right to check bags, ask for a receipt etc.

So if the LP person thinks something is wrong they can and will check

Your source? OK. Then when there is a crowd of people around say the cases area how do they know who makes what transaction. Oh, darn almost forgot, did just the 4s get the receipt printers built in, because I know my phone doesn't have one...

All you need is for the person at the door who greets you to ask people leaving with a product: "May I see your receipt?" During the busy season you might need two.

Above^

When someone in the store has checked themselves out, maybe the security person in the back could get a little ping showing it's happened. If someone's pantomiming and it doesn't go through, they'd know.

So the guy in the back has x-ray vision?

 

[PadreQuevedo]

It will work pretty well in Japan since Japanese people don't steal things.

 

[Defender2010]

Apple Stores don't have scanners/detectors at the entrance, and there is no way to put an alarm inside each and every retail box. I worked in Apple Retail for three years. We had minimal security in place. You seem to be the one uninformed on this front Slick.

Likewise....I second that....no tags, min security in stores and zero in/on all store stock.

 

[Kalison]

Your source? OK. Then when there is a crowd of people around say the cases area how do they know who makes what transaction. Oh, darn almost forgot, did just the 4s get the receipt printers built in, because I know my phone doesn't have one...

You'd have an email receipt. Plus it wouldn't be hard to do a quick AppleID look up. *IF* they bother to investigate anyway.

Bottom line, no big ticket items will be available for self check out anyway... so people thinking they are going to walk out with any serialized hardware (Macs, iPads, etc)... can forget about it. Unless they are just going to rip off the floor model and run for the door with the alarm blazing.

Apple has always been willing to allow the few *******s in the world take advantage of their system if it means the honest people get good service/benefits. Which is usually the opposite for every other company out there.

Apple has thought about it, I don't think for a minute they didn't assume increased shrinkage due to this new system.

 

[NightFox]

Most of people who keep bringing up the shoplifting issue don't seem to be thinking through the fact although there is a risk, it's no different than what it is already! Right now, what's to stop me going into my local Apple Store, picking up a Magic Trackpad and walking out the door with it? Just changing the means of payment from a Blueshirt to myself doesn't change that shoplifting opportunity as far as I can see, just who does what at the point of sale. And as for the potential 'Oh, I thought I had checked out' excuse, that's no different the existing 'I got distracted and forgot I still had it'.

This is why other organisations don't evolve and innovate like Apple is so well known for doing; they lack the imagination to see that change doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to be no worse than what it's replacing.

 

[MacFly123]

I asked one time why they check membership cards at the entrance, and they said it was because they want to make sure you have a card BEFORE you get to the checkout line and hold everything up when you can't buy anything. Sometimes people forget their cards, and sometimes people don't even realize you need a card to shop there. But if you don't have a card, it's a waste of everyone's time for you to shop there; so I can actually see the point of this, given how bad the checkout lines at Costco usually are.

Anyway, it's not really hard to bypass the check. Half the time you can just walk in and they don't say anything anyway. And if you do get questioned, you can say you're going to the pharmacy (by federal law they have to let you fill prescriptions without a membership) or that your spouse has the card and is already in the store. Or even just say you want to get a membership.

I generally find the whole receipt checking concept irritating and waste of time, and I almost never bother showing my receipt at most stores (usually I'll just walk on by with a cheerful "No thanks!" when asked), but for some reason showing my receipt at Costco doesn't annoy me. Partly because it's one of the things you agree to when you sign up for a membership, but also because it means I can leave my cart outside the bathroom while I go and take a whiz after checking out without any fear of anything being stolen from my cart. After all, if I notice something missing, I can just go grab another one from the shelf, and as long as I haven't left the store yet they can't claim I didn't pay for it.

Lol. Interesting perspectives. I actually asked them once too and got the same answer. I see the point as well but I don't know how much it would really affect anyone. I think most people know Costco requires a membership. But maybe that's just me.

Most of people who keep bringing up the shoplifting issue don't seem to be thinking through the fact although there is a risk, it's no different than what it is already! Right now, what's to stop me going into my local Apple Store, picking up a Magic Trackpad and walking out the door with it? Just changing the means of payment from a Blueshirt to myself doesn't change that shoplifting opportunity as far as I can see, just who does what at the point of sale. And as for the potential 'Oh, I thought I had checked out' excuse, that's no different the existing 'I got distracted and forgot I still had it'.

This is why other organizations don't evolve and innovate like Apple is so well known for doing; they lack the imagination to see that change doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to be no worse than what it's replacing.

Well for one it will be more common for people to walk out of the store with merchandise in their hands in plain site. Whereas before you might need to try to conceal it and get noticed or walk out with it when they know you didn't get checked out and notice.

And as far as this goes: "This is why other organizations don't evolve and innovate like Apple is so well known for doing; they lack the imagination to see that change doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to be no worse than what it's replacing." No offense but I think Steve just rolled over in his grave when you said that lol. Sorry but I don't think I can word a phrase that more completely embodies the antithesis of Apple than that.

 

[trevorplease]

What I want to know is if you can use itunes store credit on hardware purchases such as computers and iphones please!!!

Bump please anyone.

 

[divinox]

All you need is for the person at the door who greets you to ask people leaving with a product: "May I see your receipt?" During the busy season you might need two.

They're watching you, if you look suspicious, they ask to see the invoice on your phone.

jailbreak your phone. sideload an app that duplicates the original one. bada bing, bada boom.

 

[ZipZap]

I know where I'll be shop(lift)ing this Friday.

 

[anthonylambert]

I would imagine each item has a unique number printed on it. When you buy the item they write that to a Database. When you leave the door theft scanners read the items RIFID tag and look it up in the Database. If it is not purchased it sets off the alarm.

easy and safe!

 

[micat13]

Supermarket slef checkout

In the supermarket near me we have the exact same system! Only I use a scanner provided by the supermarket. I scan the barcode put the items in my bag and pay. Very easy and quick. Once in a while the personnel will random check peoples bags at the exits. It is all about trust and calculations. Less personell a little bit more theft is probably more economic. Oh and it is in the Netherlands.

 

[NightFox]

And as far as this goes: "This is why other organizations don't evolve and innovate like Apple is so well known for doing; they lack the imagination to see that change doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to be no worse than what it's replacing." No offense but I think Steve just rolled over in his grave when you said that lol. Sorry but I don't think I can word a phrase that more completely embodies the antithesis of Apple than that.

OK, I see where you're coning from but I wasn't meaning that Apple didn't strive for perfection where other companies did. No, what I meant was that although Apple strived for perfection, it was smart enough to realise that when it wasn't obtainable but there was still room for improvement, then that improvement should be made as a step towards perfection. Whereas other companies look to improving their existing products or processes, realise they can't make them perfect, but rule out any improvement because it's not perfection. Also, don't think about my comment purely in terms of products, think services and processes.

So, to directly apply this to the Apple shopping experience: Apple have come up with a new way of serving their customers. It leaves them liable to shoplifting, but at least they've realised that rather than just rule it out because of that, they've adopted it because it's not an actual regression.

In other words, the journey to Nirvana is taken in small steps, not one giant leap.

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Well for one it will be more common for people to walk out of the store with merchandise in their hands in plain site. Whereas before you might need to try to conceal it and get noticed or walk out with it when they know you didn't get checked out and notice.

I don't think there's going to be more people walking out with unbagged stuff in their hands than there is now, is there? Today if I buy an accessory in the Apple Store, I'll get served by a Blueshirt on the shop floor and walk out with my product in my hands. I can't ever remember being offered a bag unless I went to the tills.

 

[divinox]

I would imagine each item has a unique number printed on it. When you buy the item they write that to a Database. When you leave the door theft scanners read the items RIFID tag and look it up in the Database. If it is not purchased it sets off the alarm.

easy and safe!

disaster waiting to happen, given how easily blocked those signals are.

http://www.wired.com/politics/security/news/2003/11/61264?currentPage=all

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In the supermarket near me we have the exact same system! Only I use a scanner provided by the supermarket. I scan the barcode put the items in my bag and pay. Very easy and quick. Once in a while the personnel will random check peoples bags at the exits. It is all about trust and calculations. Less personell a little bit more theft is probably more economic. Oh and it is in the Netherlands.

We've had the same thing here in Sweden for quite some time too. That and self check out counters, where you dont scan while shopping, but rather when "checking out". Same principle though.

Heck, now that i think of it, we even have it at some burger joints.

 

[andreiru]

Interesting experiment. Theft will undoubtedly increase. There would need to be some sort of payment tracking / alarm deactivation device on each item. Cases, however, cost pennies to manufacture so loss may not be colossal.

 

[KPOM]

In the supermarket near me we have the exact same system! Only I use a scanner provided by the supermarket. I scan the barcode put the items in my bag and pay. Very easy and quick. Once in a while the personnel will random check peoples bags at the exits. It is all about trust and calculations. Less personell a little bit more theft is probably more economic. Oh and it is in the Netherlands.

Those are common in the US, too, but it turns out a lot of people prefer to be "checked out" by someone else, so some stores are removing them or reducing the number of scanners. The way it works here is that there is usually one employee at a station that oversees 4 of the self checkouts. They are there to handle situations that require employee input (e.g. ID verification when buying alcohol), or when a customer gets "stuck" in the process, such as not being able to find the sticker with the UPC on produce.

 

[andreiru]

Most of people who keep bringing up the shoplifting issue don't seem to be thinking through the fact although there is a risk, it's no different than what it is already! Right now, what's to stop me going into my local Apple Store, picking up a Magic Trackpad and walking out the door with it? Just changing the means of payment from a Blueshirt to myself doesn't change that shoplifting opportunity as far as I can see, just who does what at the point of sale. And as for the potential 'Oh, I thought I had checked out' excuse, that's no different the existing 'I got distracted and forgot I still had it'.

This is why other organisations don't evolve and innovate like Apple is so well known for doing; they lack the imagination to see that change doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to be no worse than what it's replacing.

iPhone shopping may make shoplifting easier psychologically. There will also be more times when people will simply forget to pay. This idea is good but it may need a bit more work. For example it could be that just adding a shopping bag which purchasers must use may make it work better etc etc.

 

[afd]

Is the online order/store collection only for the iOS app or will it work for internet orders too? The education stores don't work on the app, do they?

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Regarding the self-checkout, grocery stores have had self-checkout for years. It works fine & shrinkage is minimal.

Specifically to what Apple is doing, if you have to use an app then it's quite easy for that Apple to send a notification to the greeter at the door. I'm sure there are also other state secrets about how Apple protects its stock that it's being relayed. Funny all you people who think Apple is that simpleminded and trusting that they are not somehow verifying purchases. If that were the case all iOS devices would ship jailbroken.

 

[Holdencommstra]

Security

haven't you notice there are Security guards in every apple store(sydney Apple stores as far as i know.bigger apple stores have two or more guards while the smaller apple stores have one.this is how Apple will stop shoplifting.they will have the Security guards to have a look out and not the apple retailer people.

 

[subterFUSE]

Regarding the self-checkout, grocery stores have had self-checkout for years. It works fine & shrinkage is minimal.

Yes, some grocery stores in the USA have been implementing self-checkout for many years.... although on a recent news report I heard that many stores are phasing out the self-checkout counters because customers don't like them. I can attest to the fact that each time I try to use these counters, the people in front of me take far longer to check themselves out because they can't figure out the system. Unfortunately, most people in this country still don't have strong computer skills.

As for Apple Stores, I think they do need to figure out a more efficient system for serving the customers. 2 days ago, I went to a local Apple Store to talk to someone about purchasing a MacMani for my home. It took nearly 30 minutes from the time I pressed the Salesman call button on the iPad display before a Specialist came to help me. And frankly, the Specialist who did show up did not have much of a clue. He had to call for his manager to answer my questions. And the store was not even that busy.

Whenever I want to run in and buy something quickly, I can never find someone to check me out.

My wife HATES going to the Apple Store. They are too crowded and she nearly has panic attacks every time she goes in one. Too claustrophobic for her, and customers constantly bump into you. It's always a cluster%^$#.

I would LOVE a self-checkout system, personally..... as long as it doesn't get clogged up by people who can't figure out how to work it.

 

[jayducharme]

I agree that trying to buy anything at an Apple Store can be a royal pain. There just never seem to be enough employees to handle the crowds. But, that said, I really do like the interaction with Apple employees when you can find one. They're always pleasant and helpful. There are already plenty of other retail stores where there's no one to interact with, where I feel like I'm in some sort of wilderness fending for myself. What I like about Apple Stores is how they give technology a human connection. Having self-checkout seems to move the company in the opposite direction.

 

[ID_Field_Blank]

I don't know if any one has mentioned this yet but... Edit: this has been mentioned above, sorry!


In the supermarket where I work part time we have a system where customers can register their card to the system and whenever they come into the store the can (don't have to) scan their card and pick up a portable barcode scanner that they then walk around the store with scanning things they put in their basket/trolley/own bags, and at the end they scan a special "end transaction" barcode that tells the system they've finished. They then put their card into the chip and pin machine and self checkout.

We implement checks of ever 200th person for a "rescan" done by an assistant to check. Works extremely well and 30% of our branch sales are through the system in my branch (weekly takings averaging 350,000 pounds for the whole branch).

The system works extremely well, and if you have a rescan and are found to have missed something - usually its children putting stuff in baskets (not an excuse, a survey was done using the CCTV and it really was! - and the CCTV is not monitored constantly for every customer in case you're wondering) then you get a rescan next time as well. If you are found to have a difference in your total to the actual total of 20 pounds or more on 2 occasions then you are removed from the system (a very rare occurrence).

Though not the same as the system Apple is implementing its similar and very effective. I hope this takes off!

 

[MacMan86]

That bit's easy. The additional barcodes would come on a long roll and the store would stick one onto every product next to the product bar code. These additional barcodes would need to be readable remotely (i.e. from a few meters away) - I'm sure this is possible but not sure about the additional expense.



Not at all. Now every product has a unique barcode. The customer scans the barcodes on their phone and gets billed for whatever product the original barcode says it is. Then the store's security system gets notified that product number 'x' (from the additional barcode) has been purchased. If the store's security system detects product number 'x' heading for an exit without being purchased, then action is taken.

Your 'solution' of 'remotely readable' barcodes seems to involve shining lasers all over the store and somehow hoping that they'll be able to read all these barcodes... As much as I like disco, I would be interested to hear how your system copes with people putting products in their handbags/shopping bags.

Have you invented X-ray barcode readers as well?

 

[NutsNGum]

...I really do like the interaction with Apple employees when you can find one. They're always pleasant and helpful.

Some are, some aren't, in my experience. It just depends who you get.

I do admit to finding it a bit irritating when a 16 year old kid is trying to extol the virtues of Mac to me as if I've never heard of them before, whilst throwing all the Apple Retail horrible clichéd rhetoric into the bargain. Just take my card kid! *slap*

I do think that the in-store pickup though, is one of the best retail ideas that Apple have had in a while, it's going to save a lot of trips to the FedEx depot for a lot of people.